A Thanksgiving tradition returns as Niagara County law enforcement agencies are hitting local roadways for their annual holiday weekend STOP DWI — High Visibility Engagement Campaign.
The campaign continues through Sunday night.
Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti said local law enforcement agencies from the Falls to Lockport, and everywhere in between will be participating in an enhanced effort to “bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving. The goal, the sheriff said, is to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives.
The effort is part of a series of statewide enforcement initiatives, promoted and funded by STOP-DWI New York and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
The weekend-long campaign will see an increase in road patrols by the New York State Police, sheriff’s offices, including Niagara County as well as the North Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lewiston, Town of Niagara, Middleport and Youngstown police departments.
The program has traditionally targeted the Halloween, Thanksgiving, Holiday Season, Super Bowl, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day Weekend, and Labor Day holidays.
“During this time, the focus of our community engagement will be impaired driving,” Filicetti said. “While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug-related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers.”
Statistics from the Halloween enforcement campaign showed that the Lewiston, Lockport, Middleport, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Town of Niagara Police Departments and Niagara County Sheriff’s Office collectively engaged with 85 motorists. Those encounters led to four arrests for driving while intoxicated.
There were no drug-impaired arrests.
Officers issued 77 vehicle and traffic summonses, but no seat belt violations. The agencies also recorded six arrests for non-traffic-related offenses.